Let’s see some, I get them fairly often in my parts.

Interesting. I’ve never seen anything like that.

I thought we were gonna see some bass tattoos on people 

4 minutes ago, Susky River Rat said:

I thought we were gonna see some bass tattoos on people 

haha, that’s what I thought too.

I guess I could have phrased that better🤣

those pics are welcome also!

Wanna know what that is?  Here ya go!

https://www.bassresource.com/fish_biology/bass-blotch.html

 

Interesting read, I believe I caught 5 with marks this year. None were big, all came from Lake Winnebago, in Wisconsin, which is a huge natural lake.

The best conclusion that article could reach is that it's caused by poor handling of fish.

 

I'd have to disagree with this opinion for no other reason than that I only catch black spotted Bass in the cold water months.     Once that water cools below 60d, I catch quite a few fish with black spots.    

 

Same goes for Bass 'lip stick' or when the insides of their mouths turn red.....again only in the cold water months in the places I fish.   

My buddy has a tattoo of a bass 

 

2 hours ago, Susky River Rat said:

I thought we were gonna see some bass tattoos on people 

I know a guy! I’ve got a photo somewhere 

 

found it !

 

I’ve never caught a lake largemouth with those markings. Over the years of river fishing for Smallies I’ve gotten many with those random irregular markings. But not real common and not surprised when catching one. All appeared to be healthy river Smallies. 

Since that article (2016), I think the leading assumption now is that it is caused by a mostly harmless virus.

   I've caught dozens in VA....and a few in NC

12 hours ago, TnRiver46 said:

 

I know a guy! I’ve got a photo somewhere 

 

found it !

 

That’s what I came to see. 

Current research says the discoloration is caused by a virus, either Blotchy Bass Syndrome (an Adomavirus) or Largemouth Bass Virus. Like flu season in humans, each body of water tends to have a certain time of year where the virus runs rampant and blotches appear on fish. I'm sure that poor handling practices play a role in weakening immune systems which would allow a virus to infect a fish more easily.

 

They say that LMBV is in almost half of the states nowadays and can be spread from one waterbody to another the same way invasives get moved. In some cases, LMBV can kill fish. 

This one had it going good on both sides 

23 hours ago, TnRiver46 said:

 

I know a guy! I’ve got a photo somewhere 

 

found it !

 

Really bud? You “know a guy”. Admit it! 😂😂😂

I will have to get a picture of my sleeve I’m working on work has just been crazy